Fish Stark, executive director of the American Humanist Association, discussed ways the growth of humanism can benefit society, for example by offering a sense of identity to the growing number of people who are religiously unaffiliated at a time when the United States is experiencing a “deep wellness crisis.”
“Having a strong value system and identity and community contributes to mental wellness,” he told our February Community Gathering. Noting that surveys show religious people are happier than secular people, he said the difference goes away if you look only at religious people who are not involved in an active congregation.
“It’s not faith that makes you happier,” he said, “it’s community.”
Fish said the AHA will focus more on offering support to humanists and atheists who live in rural areas and face the kind of social isolation and persecution that those who live in “blue bubbles” do not. He added that humanism can contribute to the common good through collective action that promotes policies based on science and reason.
He said the AHA plans to step up its political activities, for example by increasing the size of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, and its outreach activities to both AHA chapters and groups that have high rates of humanist engagement such as Unitarians, effective altruists, and the LGBTQ community.
See a video of Fish’s presentation below. His remarks begin at 11:35.
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